1987 Best of Memphis Wrestling Yearbook (Volume Three, Part One)

Okay, everyone, it has been an eventful and stressful week so, let’s say we take a look at (by and large) Memphis Wrestling from 1987 via the Tubi Streaming Channel. Why by and large? We break the time barrier and actually go to 1989 and 1986 for a part of this review. But, we do get some WWE Hall of Famers on this show, an improbable heel turn and, of course, all the totally Tubi-lar chaos and mayhem one can expect (as the song goes) All the Way From Memphis. Shall we? We shall.

(As always, these matches are in no set order so helping me with dates are the fine people at Wrestlingrecaps.com and prowrestlinghistory.com. Thanks for the assist.)

Eight Man Tag Team Match: Badd Company (Paul Diamond and Pat Tanaka,) Tojo Yamamoto and Mr. Shima (Akio Sato) vs. Mark Starr, Billy Travis, Rocky Johnson and Big Bubba (Fred Ottman and his litany of future gimmicks)

And what better way to start the chaos than this eight-man tag team match from the WMC studios from the June 20 TV taping. Bubba, for the record, was fresh from his cemented face turn the week prior as he was abducted by some of Downtown Bruno’s men and held in a cabin in Kentucky. He was knocked out heading to his car after a match and no-showed his next match. Goliath and Bubba left Bruno’s group two weeks prior after a microwaved angle. For the record, Bruno denied all plausibility and said Bubba must have gotten drunk and passed out in the cabin. Nice…

Shima and Mark Starr start the contest. Starr gains the first advantage by a series of bodyslams. Shima bailed to his corner and tagged Tanaka. Starr armdragged Tanaka out of the corner and locked in the armbar. Travis is tagged and threw Tanaka to the ropes and hit a side suplex. Travis went back to the arm until Tanaka backed him into his corner and tagged his partner, Diamond.

Travis hit the arm bar and asked the fans should he drop an elbow on the arm. The fans give him the okay, so he does. Travis continued to work the arm and got a shoulderblock off the ropes when Diamond reversed the hold. However, Travis hit the topes again but was met with a Diamond hiptoss and his own FULL BODYSLAM. Diamond tried for another bodyslam but Travis reversed that to two FULL BODYSLAMS. A two-count is broken up by Shima. Travis threw Diamond to the face’s corner and tagged in Bubba.

Bubba clubbed away on Diamond and hit a clothesline off the ropes. Bubba got a backbreaker as Bruno finally appeared at the announce table and ran down Bubba. Whilst this was happening Starr was tagged back and hit a nice dropkick off the ropes.

Whilst this was happening, Bubba saw Bruno at the table and instantly (gradually) sprinted there to confront Bruno and Brno hightailed it backstage. Meanwhile, Rocky Johnson is tagged and landed a series of punches on Diamond, who dropped to the mat.

That leads to a good ole’ fashioned schmozapalooza. Everyone (sans Yamamoto) headed in the ring to battle. Meanwhile, A camera caught up with Bubba who was trying to get into Bruno’s dressing room in the back as officials (including back up announcer Randy Hales) tried to corral him to head back to ringside.

In the ring, Shima got the upper hand on Travis and landed a boot on Travis off the ropes he continued the offense with an eyerake. We cut back to backstage as Bruno peeked out of the room and eventually emerged and ran down another corridor. In the ring, Diamond tagged and continued the offense on Diamond. Tanaka tagged and got a jumping headbutt on Travis and got a eyerake of his own.

Since it was TV time remaining, Russell and Brown lamented the fact as the bell rang just as Travis came off the ropes and got a sunset flip on Diamond as Yamamoto broke up the pin. The bell ringing didn’t stop the action as the faces continued to get their sixteen ounces of cuticle on the heels as they bailed from ringside.

We come back to a music video (a Memphis strong point and staple) and James Brown’s “Living in America” can only mean one thing, we got a feature on Soul Train Jones, who went full Appollo Creed cosplay. Our friend the internet said this video was first aired on January 17. We get some massive flexing and dancing. We see some in ring highlights with a match against Goliath (including a nice missile dropkick.) Kids are dancing in the ring with Jones and there are good feelings all around. There is no way someone could buy this man and use him solely as muscle. I mean, he is American, he doesn’t have a price, right?

As fate would have it, our next match features Soul Train Jones as he faces Keith Eric.

Soul Train Jones vs. Keith Eric

Eric was a looong time enhancement talent in Memphis. This match took place at WMC studio and aired February 7. We get Jones’ entrance, with the full James Brown song. Jones, at the time was the International Champion as he showed off the belt. Much like Wu-Tang, Jones is about the children as Jones picked up a kid and a sign (which we couldn’t read) . Hugs and handshakes all around for the kids and fans at ringside.

Eric wasn’t about this foolishness and jumped Jones before the bell rang in the corner. He pounded away on Jones, hit a snap mare and landed a flying forearm to the throat for two. Eric continued to pound away on Jones in the corner but, as Russell and Brown noted, once Jones gets started, look out. Sure enough, Jones rolled under a clothesline off the ropes and landed a huge forearm that dropped Eric. Eric recovered to throw Jones into the turnbuckles but Jones evaded an Eric charge into the corner. Jones hit a Russian Legsweep (odd for someone adorned like Uncle Sam) and got the victory.

Now, we get the time displacements. We go to 1986 and see Larry Sharpe with a large figure under a sheet (not like that…) We hear the opening chords of the “Jaws” theme as he started talking. We shouldn’t be sitting there with stupid looks on our faces wondering what he is doing. He is not in New York or Tokyo but in Memphis, but not under his volition. But Jerry Lawler did something to a good friend of his, Dennis Coralluzzo (a feud in late spring of that year.) Coralluzzo called in a favor and here it is. Sharpe made an offer he couldn’t refuse so here he is.

He wanted Lawler to send his kids – and himself – out of the room if they wanted to sleep. As the music hit it’s crescendo (nicely timed,) Sharpe removed the bedsheet (but keeping a pillowcase over the head) to reveal – Bam Bam Bigelow, the Beast from the East. The camera panned up from the feet as Sharpe mentioned how Bigelow’s size 16 feet would stomp him and his calves would crush him. He kept the pillowcase over the head because he is so mean, his mother hates him. He finally pulled the pillowcase and we get a full scowling Bigelow as Sharpe said Lawler’s nightmares have just begun. If he behinds a bunch of his geeks, Bigelow will sack them around, as well. Lawler is a fool to think he has a chance against him.

Weirdly, though, we get another time jump to 1989 as we get:

Bam Bam Bigelow vs. Freezer Thompson

Thompson was another loooooong time Memphis enhancement talent (maybe its most enduring and recognized.) This match took place in a TV taping on July 22. Some things are noticeable; the lighting is a bit different and we don’t have Russell or Brown to call the match. Russell, at this time, headed to WCW and Dave Brown was on vacation (no sign of Randy Hales, either.) Instead, Michael St. John is flying solo to call the action.

After a lockup, Bigelow hit a go behind as Thompson went to the corner. Bigelow broke the hold but landed a hard shot on Thompson. Bigelow hit a standing dropkick on Thompson. Bigelow then picked up Thomson and hit a diving headbutt and then we hit the chinlock.

Bigelow continued to pound away on Thompson. Thompson tried to get some offense but it proved feckless. Bigelow continued to pound away on Thompson and hit a side kick after hitting the armbar. St. John raved about Bigelow’s athletic prowess, saying he played baseball and basketball in high school. Whilst he extolled his virtues, Bigelow hit a huge clothesline on Thompson off the ropes for two (Bigelow picked him up at two.) Bigelow pounded away on Thompson and hit the chinlock again.

Bigelow got an eye rake on Thompson and threatened referee Jerry Calhoun when Calhoun admonished him. Bigelow pounded away on Thompson’s neck with a series of forearms before hitting another vertical suplex. Bigelow hit the ropes and hit another diving headbutt which did the job and got the victory.

After that time jump, we return to WMC studio in 1987 (August 22) as we get the return of…Scott Hall (Hall sporadically appeared in Memphis throughout the year on loan from Gagne in the AWA.)

Scott Hall vs. “King” Carl Fergie

(Quick note: If you see the video, you might notice Downtown Bruno is wearing a Spirit Store Esque jester costume. Two weeks prior, “Prince” Brickhouse Brown wrestled control of his stable and now runs the show. Brown made the “with me or against me” ultimatum to Bruno and Brown chose “with me.” What followed was a series of humiliations – the week prior to this match, Bruno had to shine Brown’s shoes. This week (and some weeks to follow) it’s the jester cosplay.

Fergie is Lawler’s cousin and was fashion as “the King” during Bruno’s takeover. Hall took Fergie over twice with a series of arm drags as Fergie complained about a hairpull. Fergie got control of the match with an eye rake and a slam to the turnbuckles.

Bruno went to the announcer’s desk and reminded Russell and Brown that he is still Downtown Bruno. Russell joked that he recognized the voice. Fergie continued to pound away on Hall in the corner as Brown made his way ringside. Hall had enough of Fergie and started to pound away on Fergie in the corner an hiptossed him out of the corner. He then grabbed the encroaching Brown and started to pound away on him.

This gave Fergie time to recover and pound away and he was joined by Goliath and “Superstar” Bubba (Brown paid Bubba to turn him heel previously.) Hall tried to fight all three off until Mark Starr, Alan West and Billy Travis came to ringside to even the odds as the heels bailed backstage.

We stay in the studio but jump back to April 4 as we get another WWE Hall of Famer, Paul Heyman (then Paul E. Dangerly) with Lord Humongous (Sid Vicious/Justice etc..and should be in the Hall of Fame.) After admiring how good he looks on TV, he told “Lance Romance” that he is upset that Memphis suspended Bam Bam Bigelow (Easter Egg Head, in Heyman’s terms) because he helped Lawler put Tommy Rich out of action. Lawler, subsequently, went to AWA and Memphis officials and got Bigelow cleared. Humongous, Idol and Rich are going to show why 1987 is the Year of Living Dangerously. Also, he is the one that can control Humongous.

Lord Humongous vs. Freezer Thompson

We jump again in time – just one week – to April 11 for this WMC studio match. Humongous attacked Thompson from the onset with a series of forearm smashes on the ropes. We get an insert promo from Dangerly from the announce table extolling the destructive virtues of Humongous and the Dangerous Alliance. When Dangerly is good, he is good; when he is bad, he is dangerous. Whilst that happened, Humongous dropped Thompson with a huge clothesline off the ropes and a leg drop for the victory.

Post Match: we get a beat down from Humongous and Heyman eventually got control of him and headed backstage.

We stay at the WMC studio on January 17 as we get another WWE Hall of Fame entry:

The Sheepherders (with Lord Johnathan Boyd in tow) vs. Randy and Robert Bryant

There are myriad iterations of the Sheepherders in Memphis history. There was Luke Williams and Butch Miller, Williams and Boyd and Boyd and “Bigfoot” (Rip Morgan.) This is the classic Williams and Miler version. Boyd served as manager and flag bearer and reminded Russell and Brown they had been tag champions in 37 different countries. We get the Sheepherder march and salute of the flag as the crowd chants “USA” at the evil…New Zealanders. Miller started the onslaught on Randy Bryant with a series of punches and a FULL BODY SLAM. A leaping boot to the back continued the massacre as Williams was tagged.

Williams hit a running knee to the gut to Randy off the ropes. Williams ran the Bryant Brother into Miller’s knee as Miller was tagged. Meanwhile, Boyd extolled the global success of the Sheepherders who are nonparallel in Memphis. Williams threw Randy to the ropes and Miller met with a flying back elbow. Miller threw Randy into the turnbuckle and then threw him into Williams’ knee who was tagged.

Williams ran Randy into the corner to tag Robert. Williams continued the onslaught and pounded away on Robert and ran him into the turnbuckle. Williams tagged Miller and Miller hit the running the knee to the gut of Robert. Boyd, meanwhile, jammed the flagpole into the torso of Randy. Miller was tagged and the Battering Ram and the double overhead slam to the knees got the victory.

Post-match: It’s Memphis, so crazy beatdown ahead. The ‘herders hit the Battering Ram on Randy, for good measure. Boyd slid a chair into the ring and Miller set the chair into the ring and put Randy’s arm on the seat of the chair. Williams got to the top turnbuckle, with the flag, and hit Randy’s arm with the flag. Miller continued to beat on Randy with the chair as Robert got back into the ring and ‘herders left.

We get a quick edit to Memphis Coliseum on May 4 as we get (joined in progress)
JT Southern vs. Mr. Shima (with manager Tojo Yamamoto in tow)

Southern, as noted previously, was a hair-metal gimmick but who could actually play guitar (noted by a quick feud with Van Hammer in WCW in the early 1990’s.)

Shima grabbed a hammerlock but was reversed into a bodyslam by Southern. Shima backed Southern into the corner but let him go. He also grabbed a headlock but Southern threw him into the ropes and got a FULL BODYSLAM as Sato scurried to Yamamoto for advice.

Sato backed Southern into the ropes but good sportsmanship was not shown as Sato nailed him with a knee to the gut. Southern, though, reversed a whip to the ropes and hit a backdrop as Sato bailed to the floor. Once he got back in the ring, Southern continued to pound away on Sato and hit a vertical suplex for two. Southern also got a back elbow off the ropes and elbow drop for two.

The end seemed abrupt as Southern caught Sato in a sleeperhold but Sato got to the ropes. Another attempt at the sleeperhold was reversed to a huge back kick for the victory,

We head back to the WMC Studio for the May 4th taping as we get

The Hunter vs. John Paul

Hunter, as noted previously, is long time jobber Dale Veasey and Bambi still looks very 1987. Paul was one of Memphis’ new crop of young babyfaces for the ladies and the kids. Paul hit a quick armdrag at the onset of the match.

Hunter tried to gain the advantage with some mauling on the ropes but Paul ducked a clothesline off the ropes and hit a flying bodypress for a two count. Hunter mauled on Paul on the ropes again and whipped him to the ropes again. Paul tried for another flying bodypress but this time Hunter caught him and hit a fallaway slam.

Paul tried to rally after a reverse kick but Hunter managed to subdue him and hit a snap suplex and a leg drop for two. Paul tried to rally again, only to be met with an eyerake. Hunter hit a snapmare and a fist drop. However, Paul evaded a charge to the turnbuckle and slugged away at the Hunter. Paul made the mistake of ducking for a backdrop, which Hunter turned into a reverse neckbreaker. The Hunter hit the full powerslam for the victory.

We instantly cut to a backstage interview with Jack Eaton (another sub for Russell and the voice double for Brown) and Rocky Johnson. Johnson was talking about a dance off with Big Bubba. Okay….Johnson briefly complimented Bubba’s dancing style (okay….) Johnson said Bubba is heavy on his seat but not light on his feet as Johnson demonstrates some dance moves of his own. He also hypes a “Boxing” match he is going to have with Bubba for entry into (Cue Steven Regal) War Games…….battle Royal. He knows Goliath is big but there he will win and the only thing Bubba will have is 400 pounds.

Sam and Dave’s “Soul Man” starts to play and Johnson told Brown “I gots to go.” He heads to the ring (shaking hands and dancing with the studio audience) as we “gots to go” to

Rocky Johnson vs. Goliath (with “Prince” Brickhouse Brown in tow)

This match took place at the September 5 WMC taping. Weird fact as Brown reiterated the same fact he mentioned June 20. He stated Johnson slimmed down from 300 pounds – but for a different reason. In June, it was powerlifting, now it was for a tour of Africa. Hmmmmm. (Also, the battle royal seemed to be buried in the internet but does list “The Singing Cowboy” Don Bass as a winner of a battle royal during that time.)

Johnson and Goliath measured each other up but Johnson got the first advantage with a hammerlock (with dance moves) as Goliath made it to the corner. Goliath reversed an armlock into a wristlock but Johnson managed to roll out of it and reversed it with a kangaroo kick on the mat (also complete with dance moves and backflip.)

Goliath again got the upper hand with an eye rake and pounded on Johnson. He also hit a huge backdrop off the ropes, followed by an elbowdrop. The crowd was rabidly behind Johnson a huge “Go Rocky Go.” Goliath continued to pound Johnson as Johnson staggered to the corner. Johnson eventually rallied rammed Goliath’s head into the turnbuckles repeatedly. Johnson turned Goliath into an ambulatory heavy bag as he slugged way on Goliath. Johnson threw Goliath into the ropes and applied a sleeperhold. But, this enabled Brown to climb the turnbuckles and hit an axe handle on Johnson for the disqualification,

Post-math: Goliath and Brown continued to beat Johnson until Johnson rallied with a series of punches. Brown dropped to the mat as Johnson and Goliath continued to brawl until the rest of Brown’s “Commission” ran into the ring to administer a beatdown on Johnson. The five-on-one was finally evened with Jeff Jarrett, Travis and Starr.

We go back to the Memphis Coliseum on August 31 and a blowoff of a sneaky good feud over the summer:

“Steel Cage Match” for the International Title Match: Geroge Barnes vs. “Superstar” Bill Dundee

We are joined in progress with Barnes with the open hand as he slugged and kicked Dundee on the mat. Barnes slipped a Dundee punch and sent Dundee to the ropes. However, a charging Barnes was met with a boot and a dropkick to the corner. Dundee slugged away on Barnes and dropped Barnes with a Dusty Rhodes’ themed elbow drop for two.

Dundee hit a FULL BODYSLAM twice. Dundee scaled to the top turnbuckle but missed a Bombs Away. Barnes slowly made his way to his feet and dropped Dundee with a forearm. Barnes got a body slam and a series of elbow drops. Barnes lifted Dundee onto the top turnbuckle and scaled the turnbuckles; only for Dundee to reverse a superplex attempt into a gourdbuster from the turnbuckles. Dundee stayed on the turnbuckles and NOW he hits the Bombs Away for the victory and the International Title.

We go back to the studio with a quick chat with Dundee who said he is not sure if Barnes was overconfident or if Dundee was lucky. The end result, though, was Dundee winning the title and kept his hair (note the match was the staple “hair vs. title” match in Memphis.) He also mentioned an upcoming card featuring “the wheel of torture” for the combatants on the card.

We’re still in the WMC to wrap up this edition as we go to the October 24 airing. They show the closing moments of a match from the Memphis Coliseum from October 12 cage match between Lawler, Dundee and Steve Keirn versus Carl Fergie, Brickhouse Brown, & Don Bass.

During the match, all six-men ended up in the ring. Keirn held Bass as Lawler was going to administer a fireball to Bass. However, Bass evaded and Keirn got some singing from it. After briefly selling it, Keirn walked to Lawler, who continued to beat on Bass. After patiently waiting, Keirn turned Lawler around and slugged him. Lawler dropped to the floor and Keirn continued to beat on him. Fergie wanted to interfere but Bass showed him what was happening.

The heels turned their attention to Dundee as Keirn continued to beat on Lawler (biting him in the forehead at one point and then raining him into the cage and the ringpost. Meanwhile, Brickhouse Brown arrogantly covered the beaten Dundee for the victory.

Keirn’s beat own didn’t end, though. He rammed Lawler’s head on the ringsteps and continued to kick him on the steps. Keirn then got Lawler back into the ring to continue the beating. He slugged Dundee for good measure and then Keirn picked Lawler and piledrove him to mat with Dundee desperately crawling to stop him. After a few more elbows and fists, Keirn left the cage and made his way backstage.

As we got backstage, Russell met with Keirn for an interview. Russell wanted talk about things and Keirn agreed. Keirn had partners previously and had been in the business for 15 years. In that time, nothing like this ever happened to him. He has given his best and tried to do things right down the line and make people happy.

Dundee and Lawler called him in Florid and asked Keirn to be his partner. They won the world title (quick reign as AWA champions) and they thought they were the greatest thing and that is all they were thinking about as they headed to the match and weren’t serious about the match in hand.

Lawler’s been wrestling for a long time and Keirn admitted that Lawler said he was going to throw fire. Keirn held the guy for five minutes (well….) but after Bass moved, Lawler still threw the fire. Keirn turned the tables on Russell and started to ask Russell some questions. If someone threw fire at him, what would Russell do? Would he punch them out or turn the other cheek? This isn’t a business for turning the other cheek. Both Lawler and Dundee got jealous of Keirn and Stan Lane when they were the Fabulous Ones because the Fabs all the girls and fans. Keirn did the same thing he always did and punch a guy when someone did something wrong to him. And now, the fans turn.

He has a message for the fair-weather fans and Lawler: we can have them, he doesn’t need them and Russell better get something straight with Lawler and find out what Lawler’s attitude problem is and Keirn is done with this interview. Russell tried to stop him and said he is acting like this was Lawler’s fault, which Kerin reiterated it was. If Lawler didn’t throw the fire, Keirn would not have punched him, the footage will attest to that.

Russell tried to ask about the continued beat down but that point, Keirn walked out the door.

We go back to the studio and said we got a follow-up interview with Keirn, which aired.

Keirn is back in Florida and is relaxed and realized he can no longer have a conversation with Russell but spoke to matchmaker Eddie Marlin. He has a message for Marlin, Russell and the fans. He reiterated he had a reason for doing what he did. The replay will show that Lawler was predisposed animosity over a long period of time and was jealous of Keirn – as is Dundee, too.

This is a big business full of big egos (tell me about it.) You don’t get to call yourself the “King” if you are not trying to be the best. He has been doing this for a long time, as has Keirn. Keirn referenced his teaming with Lane as the Fabulous Ones for five years and Lane never laid a hand on him (in an angry way, I presume; you do have to tag your partner, preferably with your hand.) He never slapped or punched him.

He asked Marlin, Russell and Lawler if they think Lawler could have stopped the fire or did the pent-up jealousy came out and in that instant, he burned him? Keirn believed that all the jealousy came out because Lawler had the opportunity to stop it. Keirn reiterated that he held Bass for five minutes (again, well….) and when Bass moved, Lawler threw the fire. We should watch the film and see it. Keirn said he knew what he would do if someone burned him and it’s what he did. He wouldn’t turn the other cheek; he doesn’t believe in it.

He also addressed Russell’s question of the prolonged beatdown. Keirn said that showed how many fights Russell fought. When Keirn is in a fight, he ends it. He won’t let the guy get up and keep on kicking and punching him.
He then turned his attention to the fans. They all screamed for him, Lane and Jackie Fargo (the original Fabulous One from days of yore) for years. After he jumped Lawler for what Lawler did, the fans hate him. Keirn didn’t need fair-weathered fans or friends.

He finished with Lawler. Lawler may be mad and upset, but Keirn isn’t afraid of him. He didn’t become a pro wrestler to back down from any fights. So, when Lawler wants to step in the ring and fight Keirn; all Lawler has to do is pick up the phone and dial the Tampa area code (813) where Keirn lives and he’ll be there and that’s a promise to Lawler, Russell and Marlin.

Long Distance Information:

One: We often said the best heel interviews are when the heels make salient points to hold up the argument, as implausible as the rest might seem. That made Keirn’s turn and interviews great. There is a logical structure to what he said and you could see his vantage point. That great mic work by Keirn. And, to my knowledge, it was Keirn’s first heel turn.

Two: I will get mad when I think what the Sheepherders were versus what the Bushwackers became. That is still, to this day, one of many baffling decisions Vince made. The Sheepherders were great in each of their iterations and loved seeing them maul people versus licking their face (only in pro wrestling could that line make sense.) The Battering Ram was original (albeit maybe not the most effective move) and the overhead drop to the knees was so simple it worked great.

Three: Along the same lines, I remember first reading about Bigelow (and Sharpe) in Sports Illustrated in a small feature piece on Sharpe’s Monster Factory wrestling school. There was no one like him, be it looks and style. The Jaws theme was perfect for him. His peripatetic ring career (he had the rocket push in the WWE in 1987 and then a big push in 1988 with Crockett) did not give him traction toward any one enduring run and possible title. It’s a shame, he was incredible.

Four: Hall had a great career and all reports about him are true, he had a great mind for the business. He worked great as both face and heel. He was a more memorable heel but his early babyface stuff was nothing to scoff. He nailed it perfectly.

Five: I am glad Veasey got some run as “The Hunter.” He was the proverbial good hand and glad he got out of the “enhancement talent” stigma to a good push and a title. As ET’s go, you could not get better than Freezer Thompson in Memphis. When people talk of great enhancement talent, same some room in the kitchen for the “Freezer” (and with him, Keith Eric. Thanks.)

Six: I don’t know if we will get any fallout from the “Wheel of Torture” card but, I will say this; if you like Paul Leveque’s style of heel dominant victories on a card; do I have a hidden gem for you.

Lastly: Paul Dangerly/Heyman, always amazing on the mic.

Keep Fighting the Good Fight